Dublin Racing Festival Tips & Betting Guide
Beginning in 2018, the Dublin Racing Festival has quickly established itself on the racing calendar as a two-day feast of top-quality racing, additionally offering some key Cheltenham Festival pointers.
Held at Leopardstown racecourse, the DRF features eight Grade 1 races, including the Irish Gold Cup and Irish Champion Hurdle, complemented by several other Graded races and high-quality handicaps.
With significant prize money on offer, it’s a festival targeted by all the main Irish stables, and it also provides vital form clues for the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Dublin Racing Festival Tips - Sunday, February 4th
Day two of the Dublin Racing Festival is here, and we’ve got the action covered on Sunday.
Four more Grade One events take place, with a total of eight races on the card, beginning at 12:40pm.
We’ve got views on all the big races below.
1:10pm - Ladbrokes Novice Chase
Gaelic Warrior
Just five runners, three fancied from the Mullins yard and two outsiders from Gordon Elliott, so this title probably goes to Closutton, and I think stable jockey Paul Townend has made the right pick here.
He rides Gaelic Warrior, already with a Grade One win under his belt, and has so far done things over fences that have been over a shorter trip, he looks set to improve more for this step up. That should mean he takes all the beating in the first Grade One on the card.
1:40pm - Tattersalls Novice Hurdle
Slade Steel EW
Plenty of potential and questions here in the second Grade One on the card, so an each way punt may be the best way to go. Slade Steel has done nothing wrong, winning two from two over hurdles, including a Grade Two contest last time out.
That was over a longer trip, but he was empyting, so I’m not surprised he drops back down in trip here. He’ll have plenty left at the end, and I think he can stay on into a place at least, and is one of a few that could take this.
2:10pm - Ladbrokes Dublin Chase
Dinoblue
I think El Fabiolo is the most likely winner, but the odds on offer are over the top for his chances. Yes, he’s a great horse, but Dinoblue has improved out of sight this season, winning a Grade One last time out, and is a worthy opponent here, who looks to have been overlooked by the market.
He looks to be the value in this contest, and was really impressive when beating two of his four rivals from this race, last time out over the Festive period.
2:45pm - Irish Champion Hurdle
State Man
Maybe the only horse in training capable of getting anywhere near Consitution Hill right now, State Man looks to make it three from three this season, and win the Irish Champion Hurdle. He would probably be a short priced favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, was it not for Constitution Hill being around at the same time.
He’s cruised to victory in two Grade One events already this season, having these runners behind him, and I think they’ll be chasing him home once again.
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Dublin Racing Festival Schedule & Racecards
Check out the full race schedule for the two days of the 2024 Dublin Racing Festival below.
Saturday
It’s a seven-race card for day one of the Dublin Racing Festival with three Grade 1 races, including the Irish Gold Cup, where Galopin Des Champs aims to defend his crown from last year.
| Time | Race |
|---|---|
| 1:20pm | The Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 1:50pm | The McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 2:25pm | The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Steeplechase (Grade 1) |
| 3:00pm | The Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle |
| 3:35pm | The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) |
| 4:10pm | The Ryanair Handicap Steeplechase |
| 4:40pm | The Future Stars I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) |
Sunday
Sunday sees an eight-race card, including four Grade 1 contests, with the feature race being the Irish Champion Hurdle, where trainer Willie Mullins is chasing an eighth success.
| Time | Race |
|---|---|
| 12:40pm | The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) |
| 1:10pm | The Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase (Grade 1) |
| 1:40pm | The Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 2:10pm | The Ladbrokes Dublin Steeplechase (Grade 1) |
| 2:45pm | The Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 3:20pm | The O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase (Grade 3) |
| 3:50pm | The Liffey Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) |
| 4:25pm | The Coolmore N.H. Sires Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) |
Dublin Racing Festival Overview
Saturday
Day One of the Dublin Racing Festival sees a seven-race card that kicks off with three Grade 1 races in a row, including the Irish Arkle, where the exciting Marine Nationale looks to cement his position as one of the best novice chases in Ireland.
The feature race on Saturday is the Irish Gold Cup, where Galopin Des Champs is set to defend his title before heading to Cheltenham in March.
Sunday
It’s a bumper eight-race card on Sunday with four Grade 1 contests, including the Ladbrokes Dublin Steeplechase, where the Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo will look to maintain his 100% record over fences.
Sunday’s feature race is the Irish Champion Hurdle, with State Man likely to be a short-price with the bookmakers as he aims to win the race for the second year in a row.
What Happened Last Year?
Take a look back at the thrilling action from the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival.
Saturday
Day One of the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival was dominated by Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, teaming up to land the Irish Arkle with El Fabiolo, and the Irish Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs, both of whom went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival.
Sunday
And Willie Mullins ruled supreme on Day Two, saddling five winners on the day, including Gentlemen De Mee in the Dublin Steeplechase, State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle, and Gaelic Warrior in the Liffey Handicap Hurdle.
Dublin Racing Festival FAQs
Where is the Dublin Racing Festival 2024?
The 2024 Dublin Racing Festival will be held at Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday, February 3rd, and Sunday, February 4th.
Where is the Dublin Racing Festival held?
The Dublin Racing Festival is held annualy at Leopardstown Racecourse on the outskirts of Dublin.
How many days is the Dublin Racing Festival?
The Dublin Racing Festival is a two-day Festival. In 2024 it will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, and Sunday, February 4th.
Where is the Irish Gold Cup run?
The 2024 Irish Gold Cup will be run at Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday, February 3rd - day one of the Dublin Racing Festival.
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